(Retires towards the back.)
DAGNY (whispers, uneasily). Sigurd, let us hence—this very night!
SIGURD. It is too late now; it was thou that——
DAGNY. Then I held Hiordis dear; but now——; I have heard her
speak words I shudder to think of.
(SIGURD'S men, with other guests, men and women, house-carls and
handmaidens, enter from the back.)
GUNNAR (after a short pause for the exchange of greetings and so forth). Now to the board! My chief guest, Ornulf of the Fiords, comes later; so Thorolf promises.
HIORDIS (to the house-folk). Pass ale and mead around, that hearts may wax merry and tongues may be loosened.
(GUNNAR leads SIGURD to the high-seat on the right. DAGNY seats herself on SIGURD'S right, HIORDIS opposite him at the other side of the same table. THOROLF is in like manner ushered to a place at the other table, and thus sits opposite GUNNAR, who occupies the greater high-seat. The others take their seats further back.)
HIORDIS (after a pause in which they drink with each other and converse quietly across the tables). It seldom chances that so many brave men are seated together, as I see to-night in our hall. It were fitting, then, that we should essay the old pastime: Let each man name his chief exploit, that all may judge which is the mightiest.
GUNNAR. That is an ill custom at a drinking-feast; it will oft breed strife.